Carrier System and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

A carrier system and method of use of same are disclosed. The carrier system comprises (1) a central receiving body configured to receive the buttocks of a small child or other individual, wherein the central receiving body has substantially four diagonal sides, two top diagonal sides and two bottom diagonal sides; (2) two shoulder panels, a left and right shoulder panel, extending from the top diagonal sides on the central receiving body; and (3) two thigh panels, a left and right thigh panel, extending from the bottom diagonal sides of the central receiving body; wherein the left shoulder panel is configured to attach to the left thigh panel via a buckle creating a first hole wherein the first hole is configured to receive a left leg of the individual being carried wherein the thigh of the left leg will rest upon the left thigh panel; wherein the right shoulder panel is configured to attach to the right thigh panel creating a second hole wherein the second hole is configured to receive the right leg of the individual being carried wherein the thigh of the right leg will rest upon the right thigh panel.

FIELD

This technology relates generally to a child carrier system and methodof use. More particularly, this technology relates to a lightweight,portable carrier system used to transport children ages two to fouryears old on the back of an adult.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/191,694 entitled “Carrier System and Method of Use” filed on Jul.13, 2015 and incorporates such reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Transporting children, namely children ages two to four years old, inand through various cities and venues is often a difficult and stressfultask. Public transportation (such as subways and buses), airports, zoos,museums and malls are examples of places which are often crowded andthus not friendly to transporting children. Children, as compared toinfants, typically weigh between thirty to fifty pounds and are oftentoo heavy and cumbersome for their care givers to carry but too young towalk on their own safely and quickly. Allowing a child at such age towalk beside the caregiver is often unsafe because the child may wanderoff and get lost. Also, allowing a two to four year old child to walkbeside his/her caregiver often forces the caregiver to move at a muchslower pace thus, wreaking havoc on a care giver's schedule. Thus, it iscommon for caregivers to transport the child in a stroller. By using astroller which typically utilizes a buckle system, the care giver cantransport the child safely and quickly.

Unfortunately, transporting a child via a stroller has its difficulties.Strollers are cumbersome and awkward. Strollers can be difficult to usein airports and in crowded subways and/or buses due to the strollerssize and added weight. Strollers are difficult to maneuver in placesinvolving large crowds such as malls and theme parks; and strollers aredifficult to maneuver on gravel and/or other non-paved roads andwalkways. The added weight and burden (and often added cost) oftraveling with a stroller creates a need for an alternative system andmethod for transporting children.

There is a need for carrier system and method of use that is both lightweight and easy to use. Additionally, there is a need for a carriersystem and method of use that is easily portable and recommended for usein crowded environments. Moreover, there is a need for a carrier systemand method of use that may be used when the child is fatigued and doesnot want to walk and/or when the parents needs both arms free but needsto secure and carry the child.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child carrier system according to oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the components child carrier system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the components of the child carrier system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the components of the child carrier system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the components of the child carrier system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a components of the child carrier system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the child carrier system of FIG. 1,wherein the child carrier system is depicted in the carrying positionwhere the system is attached to the shoulders of a phantom wearer whowill be transporting a child.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the child carrier system of FIG. 1,wherein the child carrier system is depicted in the carrying positionwhere the system is attached to the shoulders of a phantom wearer.Additionally, a phantom child is shown in the child carrier system.

FIGS. 9A to 9E, are a series of views depicting the method of use of thechild carrier system according to one example embodiment. FIG. 9Adepicts the child carrier system inside its small bag or pouch. FIG. 9Bdepicts the carrier system being applied to a child. FIG. 9C depicts thecarrier system being fastened to a child. FIG. 9D depicts the adultassembling the shoulder panels of the carrier. FIG. 9D depicts the childcarrier system in use.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the child carrier system of FIG. 1wherein the child carrier system is unassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, a carrier system 100 and method of use aredisclosed. More particularly, a lightweight, portable carrier system 100used to transport children, typically ages two to four years old, on theback of an adult is disclosed herein. The portable carrier system 100may also be used to carry children older than four years old as well asadult-sized individuals. The structure and placement of the carriersystem 100 enables most adults, independent of their physical strengthof the adult, to carry a small child or other larger individual in thecarrier system. In one example embodiment, the carrier system 100 may beused to carry the child or other individual seated in an uprightcarrying position on the back of the adult.

In one embodiment, the carrier system 100 may be made from lightweightmaterials that are breathable and durable allowing for maximum comfortduring use. In one embodiment, the child carrier system 100 may be madeof a combination of materials such as nylon and polyester, but any othermaterials may be used as desired by one of skill in the art. In oneembodiment, the carrier system 100 may comprise padding, such as foampadding, to provide additional comfort to both the individual beingcarried and the carrier.

In one embodiment, the carrier system 100 is portable and may be usedanywhere a child may be transported. In particular, the child carriersystem 100 may be used on any form of public transportation, such assubway or bus. It may also be used in crowded environments such asmalls, amusement parks and airport, or anywhere where strollers arecommonly used.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-10, in one embodiment, the carrier system 100comprises a central receiving body 200 configured to receive thebuttocks of a small child 110 or other individual. The central receivingbody 200 may be slightly diamond shape having substantially fourdiagonal sides 210, 220, 230, and 240. Two shoulder panels, a left 250and right 260 shoulder panel, extend from the top diagonal sides 210,220 on the central receiving body 200. Two thigh panels, a left 270 andright 280 thigh panel, extend from the bottom diagonal sides 230, 240 ofthe central receiving body 200. Upon assembly, the left shoulder panel250 is attached to the left thigh panel 270 via a buckle 300 creating afirst hole wherein the first hole is configured to receive a left leg ofthe individual 110 being carried wherein the thigh of the left leg willrest upon the left thigh panel. Upon assembly, the right shoulder panel260 may be attached to the right thigh panel 280 creating a second holewherein the second hole is configured to receive the right leg of theindividual being carried wherein the thigh of the right leg will restupon the right thigh panel. The left shoulder panel 250 may be attachedto left thigh panel 270 with adjustable buckle and strap attachment 300.The right shoulder panel 260 may be attached to right thigh panel 280with adjustable buckle and strap 300. In one embodiment, right shoulderpanel 260 may be secured to the left shoulder panel 250 with adjustablebuckle and strap 370.

In one embodiment, the central receiving body 200 is contiguous to meshor fabric panels which create a padded receiving body 340 and addcomfort to the child 110 or individual being carried.

In one embodiment, each shoulder panel 250, 260 comprises a chest orsternum strap 310 extending from the outside edge of each shoulderpanel. In one embodiment, each chest strap 310 is about two to fourinches in length and about one to two inches in width. The dimensions ofthe chest straps 310 may vary as desired by one of skill in the art.Upon assembly of the carrier system 100, and once an individual isplaced into the receiving body of the carrier, the chest straps 310 areconfigured to attach around the chest of the carried child orindividual. The chest straps 310 may be attached with Velcro, but anyother means of attachment may be used as desired by one of ordinaryskill in the art.

In one embodiment, the carrier system 100 may be folded and stored in asmall pouch 320 or bag when not in use, see FIG. 9A. Such storage allowsthe carrier system 100 to be placed into a purse or other bag, or eventhe pocket of a user. Such storage allows carrier system to accompany auser to any location to assist with the transport of a small child orother individual when needed. In one example embodiment, the pouch 320may be attached to the carrier system and is configured to carry smallitems such as cellphone, wallet, keys, etc. Such pouch 320 may belocated at any location on the carrier system including but not limitedto the central receiving body, the shoulder straps or the thigh straps.

In one embodiment, the carrier system 100 may also be used to transportolder individuals who are unable to walk or who may need assistancewalking. In particular, the carrier system 100 may be used to transportolder individuals during emergency situations, such as an emergencyevacuation of assisted living homes, hospital, rehabilitation facilitiesor any other type establishment occupied by individuals, of any size,that may need assistance with mobility.

Referring to FIGS. 9A to 9E, a method of using the child carrier system100 is disclosed. Upon use, the carrier system 100 is removed from itssmall bag or pouch 320 within which it may be stored. Then each shoulderpanel is attached to its corresponding thigh panel if not alreadyattached. The legs of the child or individual to be carried are insertedinto the left and right holes created upon attachment of the shoulderpanels to the thigh panels. The chest straps 310 are assembled acrossthe chest of the carried individual. With his/her back facing theindividual to be carried, the user who will be carrying the child orother individual inserts his/her left arm and shoulder into the lefthole and his/her right arm and shoulder into the right arm. The shoulderpanels should be resting on the shoulders of the carrier. The user maythen stand up and adjust the location of the shoulder panels if neededvia the strap and buckle attachments located at the ends of the shoulderand thigh panels. The individual being carried should be in a uprightposition on the back of the individual wearing the carrier system onhis/her shoulders.

The carrier system 100 allows various height positions depending on theheight of the care giver as well as the height and weight of the child.

In one example embodiment, the carrier system 100 may be color coded toallow for any assembly.

The description and illustrations are by way of example only. While thedescription above makes reference to various embodiments, it should beunderstood that many changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. Many more embodiments andimplementations are possible within the scope of this invention and willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is notlimited to the specific details, representative embodiments, andillustrated examples in this description.

I claim:
 1. A carrier system comprising (1) a central receiving bodyconfigured to receive the buttocks of a small child or other individual,wherein the central receiving body has substantially four diagonalsides, two top diagonal sides and two bottom diagonal sides, wherein thecentral receiving body is contiguous to mesh or fabric panels whichcreate a padded receiving body; (2) two shoulder panels, a left andright shoulder panel, extending from the top diagonal sides on thecentral receiving body; and (3) two thigh panels, a left and right thighpanel, extending from the bottom diagonal sides of the central receivingbody; wherein the left shoulder panel is configured to attach to theleft thigh panel via a buckle creating a first hole wherein the firsthole is configured to receive a left leg of the individual being carriedwherein the thigh of the left leg will rest upon the left thigh panel;wherein the right shoulder panel is configured to attach to the rightthigh panel creating a second hole wherein the second hole is configuredto receive the right leg of the individual being carried wherein thethigh of the right leg will rest upon the right thigh panel.
 2. Thecarrier system of claim 1 wherein the left shoulder panel is configuredto attach to left thigh panel with an adjustable buckle and strapattachment and wherein the right shoulder panel is configured to attachto right thigh panel with adjustable buckle and strap.
 3. The carriersystem of claim 1 wherein each shoulder panel comprises a chest orsternum strap extending from the outside edge of each shoulder strap,wherein the chest straps are configured to attach around the chest ofthe carried child or individual.
 4. The carrier system of claim 1wherein the carrier system comprises a pouch configured to store thecarrier system.
 5. A method of using the child carrier system comprisingthe following steps: (1) removing the carrier system from its small bagor pouch within which it may be stored; (2) attaching each shoulderpanel to its corresponding thigh panel if not already attached; (3)inserting the legs of the child or individual to be carried into theleft and right holes created upon attachment of the shoulder panels tothe thigh panels; (4) assembling the chest straps across the chest ofthe carried individual (5) resting the shoulder panels on the shouldersof the user carrying the child or other individual by facing his/herback to the individual to be carried and inserting his/her left arm andshoulder into the left hole and his/her right arm and shoulder into theright arm; and (6) adjusting the location of the shoulder panels ifneeded via the strap and buckle attachments located at the ends of theshoulder and thigh panels.